Hart to Heart: The Chili Peppers' Sisterhood

Almost four years ago, 16 unrelated girls were adopted in the Hunan province of China on the same day. But the girls also shared a joy: Each one was adopted by 16 different American couples. On the same day. From the same orphanage. In the same city. Hunan, the province where the girls are from, is known for its robust-tasting chili peppers, proudly used on all types of food from beef to fruit. So the Chinese host nicknamed the group of adopted girls"the Chili Peppers."

In the very beginning of their lives, 16 unrelated girls shared a sorrow in common: Their home was a Chinese orphanage.

But the girls also shared a joy: Each one was adopted by 16 American couples.

On the same day. From the same orphanage. In the same city.

Hunan, the province where the girls are from, is known for its robust-tasting chili peppers, proudly used on all types of food from beef to fruit. So the Chinese host nicknamed the group of adopted girls "the Chili Peppers."

This summer, almost four years later, 11 of those 16 families gathered from all parts of the country to attend a Chili Peppers' reunion on Tybee Island.

The parents' goal is a simple one: to give their adopted daughters a sisterhood like none other.

A sisterhood that their parents hope will make up for the losses the girls have endured and all of the challenges they will face.

A sisterhood that will provide support for their future and celebrate their roots.

Each of the Chili Peppers was born within eight weeks of one another. Three even shared the same crib in the orphanage.

Now they each share the same adoption day, Oct. 25. And the promise of a lifelong friendship.

Four years ago, a group of strangers traveled halfway across the world to pick up daughters they were adopting from an orphanage in the Hunan province of China.

The couples were from vastly different parts of the United States.

The parents include a doctor, an engineer, a cattle-rancher, a police officer, a day care inspector, an EMT and a pharmacist.

On arrival, the group did some sightseeing together and stayed at the same hotel.

Although they were only together for four weeks, the emotional experience of adopting daughters at the same time has kept their relationships strong to this day.

"We really bonded," said Cindy Collins of Richmond Hill, who organized the Tybee Island reunion. "It's a very special friendship and one of the greatest blessings for our children."

Not everyone could make the reunion this year, but future ones are planned. Members of the group correspond via the group's Facebook page and exchange letters and packages.

The parents have helped each other out with support and advice about various adoption issues.

Cindy expects the group to be especially helpful as the girls grow older and face abandonment issues, as well as the challenges of growing up in a mixed-race home without knowing their family medical histories.

Red couch reunion

The Collins see the Chili Peppers as a way to honor their daughter's past.

Cindy talks regularly with her daughter about her "angel mommy," their term for birth mom. They pray for her nightly. The Collins also celebrate the Chinese New Year and bought souvenirs from Zoey's birthplace to give her each birthday.

They also send clothes to Zoey's orphanage.

In other words, China is very much a part of their lives.

When the group of adopting parents were in China, they stayed at the White Swan Hotel, famous among adopting families for its red couch.

The parents took a group photo of their Chili Peppers on that red couch. At the summer reunion, they were thrilled to see a red couch in their rented Tybee beach house and re-enacted the photo.

Zoey often tells people her parents traveled all across the world to find her.

The red couch photo serves as a reminder that she has 15 sisters who know exactly what she means.